Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

"I hate rigid and dogmatic approaches the most. Since you have ideas, let's learn as we go!"

Cui Ming's heart stirred, and he spoke.

"To be honest, I have an idea that might be a trial for our first collaboration."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

"I previously built two mechanical arms to assist in dismantling the flying guillotine, which greatly increased efficiency."

So I was thinking, if we could manufacture more robotic arms and form an assembly line, with each robotic arm responsible for a different process.

As long as they operate simultaneously, the puppets can be produced automatically.

"assembly line?"

Liang Wu'er raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding the new term.

Cui Ming gave a brief explanation of the concept of an assembly line in modern industry.

The complex process is broken down into several simple steps, which are then completed by different specialized workstations and finally assembled into the finished product.

Liang Wu'er's eyes lit up as she listened.

"Brilliant! This not only greatly increases efficiency, but also allows for control of errors."

Furthermore, since each puppet only needs to master a single action, the structure can be greatly simplified, making it more suitable for mass production.

"exactly."

Cui Ming nodded.

"I think we should use this workshop as a pilot project and start by manufacturing the mechanical arms of the Shadow Spider."

I was in charge of designing, building, and assembling, while my senior taught me how to inscribe runes, giving them more stable power and more sensitive responsiveness.

"Okay! Let's do it this way!"

Liang Wu'er rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"I'll start by teaching you the most basic runes. Once you're proficient, we can try the more advanced runes."

The two of them got right to work.

Cui Ming used puppets to clear out most of the workshop area, turning it into a temporary production line.

He first drew up blueprints of the mechanical arm, marking the key nodes and transmission structure, and then began to manufacture it using materials from the workshop.

Liang Wu'er then took out the tools she carried with her, along with the carving knife that Cui Ming's workshop had brought.

While demonstrating the inscription of runes on the parts made by Cui Ming, he explained the direction of Qi and the meaning of each stroke of the rune.

"Look, this solidification rune is drawn at the joint, which enhances structural stability and allows it to withstand greater forces; while this guiding rune is engraved here, which allows the hidden threads to conduct more smoothly..."

Cui Mingxue learned extremely quickly. He was already sensitive to structure, and his mental strength had greatly improved during this period, making him even more acutely aware of the flow of Qi.

In less than half a day, he was able to independently inscribe standard basic runes on parts. Although he was still a bit naive, his techniques and ideas were already taking shape.

Liang Wu'er nodded repeatedly as she read.

"You really do have some talent. The most important thing in inscribing runes is to be in harmony with your mind and body. You are calm and steady, a good prospect."

As each enchanted component was manufactured, Cui Ming began assembling the first mechanical arm.

Unlike the previous assistant version, this time runes have been inscribed on key points.

As the last piece of the outer shell came together, Cui Ming used the connecting thread to gently hook the hidden line!

The mechanical arm reacted faster and moved more smoothly than ever before, with a layer of Qi light flowing across the runes on its surface.

Chapter 13 Pill Bite

"It's done!"

Liang Wu laughed heartily, very excited.

For weapon refiners, the exhilarating feeling of completing a creation is something that cannot be explained to outsiders.

As Cui Ming watched the mechanical arm rotate flexibly under the control of the hidden wires, a sense of accomplishment welled up in his heart.

This is just the beginning. Once we can truly master the art of Qi cultivation and deeply integrate runes with mechanisms, the things we can create in the future will probably be far more than just mechanical arms or shadow spiders.

"Next, we can try to fully establish this production line."

Cui Ming's gaze was intense.

"First, create ten Shadow Spiders and let them work together to test the waters. See how well they do, then try more complex assembly tasks."

"no problem!"

Liang Wu was full of energy.

As a weapon refiner, he has often stayed up all night, so staying up for a few days is not a problem for him.

Furthermore, in order to improve the efficiency of the two, Cui Ming also equipped Liang Wu with a pair of mechanical claws.

After Liang Wu made some modifications, the efficiency of the two working together improved even further.

For the next few days, the workshop remained brightly lit.

The sounds of gears turning and carving knives whistling could be heard continuously coming from inside.

The members of the Tang Clan also learned that Cui Ming and Liang Wu seemed to be up to something big.

Two days later, the first production line for Shadow Spiders in the workshop finally took shape.

Six mechanical arms, each bearing basic runes, work together under the guidance of hidden lines.

Each person was responsible for a specific step in the process, and they began to work in an orderly manner.

Although still somewhat raw, she was already able to independently complete the framework of a shudder spider.

Liang Wu slumped in his chair, his eyes were bruised, but a smile played on his lips.

"Alright... kid, you've almost drained my life dry."

He yawned widely and waved his hand.

"I need to go back and sleep for three days and three nights. If you keep bothering me, I'll get angry."

Cui Ming cupped his hands and smiled.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother. I have learned a lot these past few days."

Don't give me that.

Liang Wu struggled to his feet, yawning as he staggered out.

"Let me know when you've got the production line running smoothly. Remember, it's not just about carving the runes; it's about focusing your mind and energy, achieving a state of perfect harmony..."

As the sound faded into the distance, Cui Ming watched him leave, and the workshop returned to silence.

He turned to look at the mechanical arms that were still operating with precision.

With these assistants, the efficiency of dismantling the Blood Droplets 999 times in the second level increased by more than several times.

Ten days later.

Cui Ming pushed open the workshop door, and the sunlight was blinding.

He squinted and took a deep breath of fresh air.

The second stage is complete.

He even used the second level to create a considerable number of flying guillotines as a backup.

He didn't linger and went straight to the council hall, where, as expected, the sect leader, the eldest master, and several other elders would be holding their daily meeting.

By the time Cui Ming arrived, the meeting had already ended.

Only Tang Bingwen and Tang Jiaren were still drinking tea in the hall.

Upon seeing Cui Ming approach, both of their eyes fell upon him.

"Disciple Cui Ming has completed the second stage and has come to report."

Cui Ming bowed to the two men with neither arrogance nor servility.

Tang Jiaren put down his teacup and looked at Cui Ming slowly.

"It's much faster than expected. It seems that Liang Wu really has been a great help to you."

"I have indeed benefited greatly from Senior Brother Liang's guidance, but I completed the challenge independently."

Tang Jiaren remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

"Cui Ming, do you know why I set up these three trials?"

"Disciple understands. The master wants disciple to calmly consider whether he can truly bear the consequences of cultivating the pill."

"Yes and no."

Tang Jiaren stood up, walked to Cui Ming, and spoke in a heavy tone.

"The path of alchemy is fraught with peril, with only one chance of survival."

"Over the past few hundred years, the Tang Clan has produced countless individuals with extraordinary talents, and the number of elite inner disciples who have fallen victim to the Dan Shi technique is too numerous to count."

"I have personally witnessed too many geniuses... whose meridians were shattered, their Qi sea collapsed, and even their minds were broken when they were cultivating the Dan Shi technique, and they only wanted to die."

He stared into Cui Ming's eyes and said, word by word.

"You are very talented. Your puppetry skills are ingenious, and your future achievements are limitless."

"There is absolutely no need to take the dead end of pill consumption."

"What the Tang Clan needs is a flame that can be passed down, not a shooting star that may burn out in an instant."

Cui Ming met his gaze without flinching.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir."

“But these past few days, I have thought things through very clearly.”

"Dan Shi is not a dead end, but a power that disciples must hold in their hands."

"The world is in chaos, and the world of supernatural beings is also in turmoil. If our Tang Clan wants to survive in this chaotic world, what we need is not to stick to our traditions, but a blade that can cut through the wind and waves."